I grew up in liberal, mostly Jewish circles in New York City. One of the messages I got again and again was that without the support of ordinary Germans, Hitler would not have come into power. It’s not only leaders, but the regular citizens who direct the course of history.

As a result, it was our job to make sure that history not repeat itself. And we did that by being vigilant ourselves of our values and our actions.

As a Jew I was on the “right” side of history. But as an American, a white person, a member of the educated middle class, I have often been worried that I am on the “wrong” side of history: do I stand up for the values that I really hold?

It takes not just a few rogue individuals but a nation of citizens to set the stage for violence, bigotry and gross inequality. This is what we see unfolding in Trump’s America. And let’s not get too complacent here: it’s not just Trump. The entire Republican party signed onto a tax bill that takes from the poor and gives more to the rich; that robs 13 million—and counting—of health insurance, many of whom are children; that steals protected national land; that, in an age of increased climate crisis, drills for yet more oil in Alaska.

We have seen time and again that trickle down economics doesn’t work—over the past two decades, as the top one percent has grown richer, wages have remained stagnant for the bottom 50 percent.

But the reality of contemporary economics was hardly an issue: pushed through in the middle of the night without even being brought to debate, this bill was never about helping anyone. It was about pushing a certain ideology through as quickly as possible—by an entire party.

I hope that the Republican party does some serious looking at itself and that Republican voters do some serious soul searching: is this the change you were hoping for?

And yet, still, as a Democrat, glad as I am that not a single Democrat voted for the egregious bill, I can’t say that Democrats are off the hook either.

Americans of both parties value wealth and money inordinately. Wherever we go, in our media, our advertisements, our pop culture, our business practices, our schools, we see the value placed on wealth.

And it is this value placed on money—on both sides of the aisle—that also in part allowed a bill like this to pass. Because the message we are given again and again is that great wealth is good.

Our newspaper articles are bordered by ads for Jaguars and Rolex watches. Our politicians and the elite of our society –on both sides of the aisle—live in ever bigger houses and dine in ever more expensive restaurants. Their children go to private schools—like the one I attended as a child—and they summer and live in communities that are ever more economically homogenous.

I think it’s time we re-examine our value system. What if when we compliment someone on their bigger new house, if also see in the house the tax breaks that went into paying for that house and that also affect other people’s health insurance? What if we also see the depletion of natural resources that went into making and running that house? It’s time to stop seeing the peaceful evening at the fancy restaurant and the 46 million hungry people in America as distinct.

So many working class Americans vote against their own interest because they align with the American dream of wealth; emotionally, they align with the “winners,” the rich in our society.

And so many Americans who have more than enough vote to get yet more because, again, our value system reinforces the belief that more is better.

I have to admit that I am not immune to this value system. Surrounded by friends who have bigger houses, fancier cars, more disposable income, I have my moments of envy. But why? It’s not only more space would be nice, it’s also that I worry what people think of me. I want to be respected. And money in our culture gains respect.

But that is a dangerous equivalence. And one that leads us to yet more and more inequality, more and more injustice.

So when we protest the tax bill we also should also look inside of ourselves: how do we unwittingly perpetuate inequality, injustice and environmental destruction in our own value system? The public world that we have is a reflection of what we as a society believe.

That public world is in crisis, and it’s time to take some serious action on every level to re-align with a more just, equitable, compassionate vision of what it means to be a citizen.

After all, what America does is a reflection of what America values, and it’s time to re-align our values—to remember that what matters isn’t money but people.

__

Nadia Colburnis a founding editor of Anchor Magazine and is a certified kundalini yoga instructor and serious student of Thich Nhat Hanh. Nadia is the founder of Align Your Story, which offers online and in person coaching and teaching. See more at www.nadiacolburn.com.

3 Responses to “What Do We Value? It’s Time To Re-Consider Our Relationship With Money”

Good article on our love of comfort, class distinction.
I’m glad I saw nature, trees,wild animals as sacred…. not wealth….. growing up in the country connected me with the Land….. all the time thinking Urban environment toxic……

So, are you saying that only democrats have a value system? Or should I say your value system?
How does your attitude differ from the value system of Hitler? Or lets say any despotic value system. Is not the democratic value system just as rigid with a 100 % vote against the tax bill. Personally, I do have issue with the tax bill… and yes, I have issues with the continued rising Debt that for the past 50 years has risen at a slope of around 35 degrees. I have issues with government controls of our lives. Government spending and pork and waste. Ask this question: Do you let your credit cards debt to continue to grow, is that what you call a value system? What will happen to the poor and the down trodden when there may well be a social economic collapse…” Let them eat cake” Me uber alles. You say you are middle class, yet your value system says, says that I have values, but someone who makes less could well disagree with you.

I “understand” what you are saying… I drive a 19 year old car… and live in a starter home. I work hard for my labors. I’m happy. I do not begrudge you that you probably are better off then me. Do have more value and you less value? Are we all Americans “billionaires” compared the average wages of 1400 dollars a year?

The best benefit of the tax bill is the 20% corporation tax… Why shouldn’t it be zero, since you are really taxing the consumer with higher prizes, the worker with less salary, and the investor 401 saving plans that lose value. I would agree with you that capitalism is not perfect… the shortfalls are related to pork, spending and waste by the government. failed programs. Why is the graduated income tax FAIR? Is that a value system when the majority have the same vote as me, yet does not value my labors since they do not pay taxes and I do? 12.11.17